Here is the scoop based on what I've heard.:The breeder from whom I purchased my male keeps their pair together, excluding brumation, which is upwards of four months.:They also suggested room temperature during the summer months, and "cooler" temps won't be as harmful as it would be to other snakes.

From information I have experienced, they are quite interesting. My pair (02s) are the only snakes of mine that have a "reverse". They don't turn their head around and move forward, but look at me and actually move in the opposite direction relative to the head-tail relationship. They also are great feeders. I have got them to take mouse/rat, ft/live/fk, all from my fingers or tweezers. My male is especially aggressive in feeding. My female is always at the end of her cage pointing towards the business end of the room, and "peers" out. Seems like she wants attention, or is plotting against me by reading all of my personal email.

If you search for russian rats with the search feature, I'm sure you will find 5+ posts here, and there are at least 3 breeders that always have them, with 5 or more that have them occasionally. I wouldn't really consider them rare, they are probably the 3rd most popular asian "elaphe" behind taiwans and mandarins. Check the classifieds for links to breeders with them.

Here are some pics that are a month old.The Female ( a bit larger and darker, about 10 grams more now)